Maria Stevens (Seychelles)

Maria Stevens

(Founder of Hope Consultancy and 

Connect Call Centre Solutions)

Maria Stevens is an extraordinary woman with an indomitable spirit and a relentless passion for entrepreneurship. Coming from a family of seven children, Maria's journey to success has been marked by determination, resilience, and an unwavering belief in her dreams. 

From a young age, Maria was captivated by the sight of professionals dressed in elegant attire, heading off to work. Little did she know then the challenges and sacrifices that came with such a life. However, her unwavering desire to be her own boss and make a difference in the business world never wavered. 

Describing herself as adventurous, bubbly, and ambitious, Maria has always been driven to improve and grow. Inspired by her parents' unwavering determination and strength in the face of adversity, Maria knew that she, too, had the potential to create something extraordinary. 

Born in the picturesque Seychelles islands, Maria and her family relocated to the United Kingdom when she was thirteen, facing the challenges of adapting to a new environment. Located in the Indian Ocean, lying northeast of Madagascar, the Republic of Seychelles is an archipelago consisting of 115 islands. It is home to 98,000 inhabitants, three-quarters of whom dwell on the main island of Mahé. After completing her studies in business, Maria embarked on her career journey, joining British Telecom. Driven by her hunger for success, she quickly rose through the ranks, from sales staff to supervisor, assistant manager, and finally, manager. Her determination and exceptional leadership skills led her to the position of account manager for small and medium-sized businesses in the SME department. 

During this time, Maria discovered her true passion for helping and supporting others in their professional development and entrepreneurial endeavors. However, her journey took a different turn when she met her husband and started a family. Despite temporarily stepping back from her career as a stay-at-home mom, Maria's dreams remained steadfastly in the forefront of her mind. 

Returning to work after a year, Maria joined Avarto, a call center, where she worked on various projects, including collaborating with the NHS and Range Rovers. She then moved on to the Jewelry Channel, where she managed a team of ten dedicated professionals. While working there, Maria caught the attention of SCHINDLER, a prestigious call center company, who reached out to her with an enticing job offer. Though she initially declined, the company persisted, recognizing her exceptional skills and experience. Ultimately, Maria joined SCHINDLER Lifts, where she was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing 350 engineers across the UK, Ireland, and Scotland. 

In 2015, Maria made a life-changing decision to return to her roots in Seychelles. Fuelled by her passion for helping others and armed with her extensive experience in various industries, she established her first company, Hope Consultant and Recruitment Agency. Within a short span, her agency became the leading recruitment agency in Seychelles, matching candidates with the perfect job opportunities. 

With her vast experience managing diverse companies and accumulating over 25 years in customer service, Maria discovered her niche. In early 2019, she founded CONNECT Call Centre, the first outsourced call center in Seychelles. Providing crucial services to local companies, offshore businesses, and government establishments, CONNECT Call Centre has become the go-to support network for organizations in need of impeccable customer service and emergency assistance. 

Connect Call Centre Solutions is committed to providing round-the-clock service, operating in three work shift slots: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. To ensure exceptional service quality, the agents are meticulously trained to meet each company's specific requirements. 

By outsourcing these tasks to Connect Call Centre, companies can redirect their focus and resources to their core business operations. Maria understands the reluctance in Seychelles to outsource, often resulting in incomplete tasks when employees are absent or on leave. With Connect Call Centre, companies can rely on a reliable and professional team to ensure that no job goes undone, providing peace of mind and uninterrupted workflow.

In addition, to call handling, Connect Call Centre Solutions offers a range of supplementary services tailored to meet the diverse needs of their clients. These services include managing bulk emails, handling bulk SMS, data entry, telemarketing, social media marketing, e-commerce support, conference calls, and various other office tasks.

Since its establishment, CONNECT Call Centre has gained significant recognition and success. In January of this year, the company participated in the Seychelles Business Awards and achieved an outstanding second place in the ICT category. Maria's vision and dedication, combined with the expertise of her remarkable team, have propelled the company's growth and positioned it for even greater accomplishments.

Maria's journey is not confined to Seychelles alone. Her dreams extend beyond borders, as she aspires to elevate her call center to international standards. Her vision includes remotely managing customer services for global banks, insurance firms, and airlines. Moreover, Maria is committed to empowering women in the field of technology, providing employment opportunities for teenage mothers, and nurturing a culture of financial independence and prosperity.

In a field traditionally dominated by men, Maria serves as a shining example for women in Seychelles and beyond. Her trailblazing spirit and unwavering determination defy stereotypes and pave the way for future generations. Maria's message to women and girls is clear: have faith, be confident, and believe in your own capabilities. Women are destined for greatness, and Maria Stevens is leading the charge.

With an unwavering commitment to her dreams, a profound dedication to serving others, and a visionary outlook, Maria Stevens is an inspiration to us all. Her incredible journey continues, and we eagerly await the future chapters of her remarkable story.

(Information from UNDP (Gendered Voices) Seychelles: Women in Technology, Africa Tech Summit, Seychelles News Agency)